Kwara urges warring communities to embrace peace

The Kwara State Government has called on the people of Share and Tsaragi to embrace peace to ensure prosperity and development of the areas.
The state Deputy Governor, Elder Peter Kisira, made the call on Wednesday during an assessment visit to the two communities and visits to the two royal fathers.
Elder Kisira, who led some members of the State Executive and Security Councils to the communities, expressed the state government’s sympathy on the sad development and condoled the people on the losses.
The Deputy Governor stressed the need for peace and understanding among the people of the two communities, adding that the state government would address the situation with a view to find lasting solution to the crisis.
He explained that no development and progress could take place in any crisis prone area, urging the two communities to cooperate with the security agencies so that normalcy could return to the areas.
Elder Kisira commended the two royal fathers for their timely intervention that prevented further escalation of the crisis, charging them to continue cooperate with one another and to unite their people.
The Deputy Governor, who described the development as sad and disturbing, prayed that such incidence would not repeat itself.
Responding in his palace, the Etsu Tsaragi, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi NdaKpoatwa, described the crisis as sad and unfortunate in view of government’s effort and determination to ensure the development of the areas.
NdaKpoatwa called on government to forgive the two communities of their shortcomings.
Also speaking in his palace, the Olupako of Share, Alhaji Abubakar Garba Bolatito, thanked the government for the timely intervention.
The Olupako, who spoke through the President of Share Descendant Union, Prof. Suleiman Jamiu noted that the two communities had been living together and shared things in common.
Conducting the Deputy Governor and entourage round the affected site, the Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Alhaji Babatunde Salami, said over 35 houses, excluding churches and mosques, were burnt.
Salami disclosed that only one person was killed and another hospitalized for sustaining gunshot wound.
The Chairman of Edu Local Government Area, Alhaji Alfa Shonga, thanked the government for the visit, adding that the two royal fathers had appealed to their subject on the need to embrace peace.
The two chairmen disclosed that joint a security meeting with all the stakeholders from the two communities has been scheduled for Thursday.
Earlier while briefing Kisira at the Muslim Community Primary School, Share, that was completely burnt, Captain Okore Obasi said security personnel have been posted to strategic places to restore normalcy.
The leader of the Mobile Police said six of his personnel were wounded and were presently receiving treatment in the hospital.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied on the visit by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, members of the State Executive and Security Councils and the Special Adviser on Emergency Relief.
The State Government had imposed a 24 hours curfew on the two communities.
It was however reduced on Wednesday.
It will not be from 3pm to 9am.